05.11.2024

A vision for the arts in youth work – Spotlight thought leaders – Youth Work Week 2024

For Youth Work Week 2024, we sit down with two thought leaders in the youth arts sector. 

Emma Chapman, Creative Programme Manager, and Naz Hoque, Creative Producer for Music, have both seen firsthand how arts-driven youth work can change lives—from mentorships that open doors to iconic venues like Abbey Road Studios to building essential skills and confidence that unlock a better future for young people. 

Through their work, they’re shaping not just artists but empowered individuals ready to thrive in any path they choose. They share the stories from their careers, and vision for youth work in the arts in 2024.

What inspired you to get into youth work?

Naz Hoque: “My mentor! He has been incredibly supportive in my journey, offering me opportunities I had never imagined could be possible. He inspired and motivated me, and I’ve aspired to follow in his footsteps.”

Emma Chapman: “I have always been interested in the Arts, as a young person – I come from a musical & creative family & the arts were always an outlet for me and a way to build my confidence. I studied Contemporary Art at Uni and afterwards moved to London, without really knowing what I wanted to do but looking to stay creative.

I was working at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith on the Box Office, and they were running a project called START, where 15-21yr olds who were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) would come for 6 weeks to learn creative skills and gain a qualification – it was mayhem!

The young people had lots of reasons why they found it hard to attend, stay positive etc, and there were often fights and loud arguments, often in front of my ticket office! I thought the group were a nightmare and were wasting the theatre’s time. Then I went to see their final performance and saw first-hand the impact it had on them. For most of them, this was the first thing they had ever completed, the first time they were proud of themselves and could share that with their families. I saw the journey they had been on and the progress they made.

That’s when I said to myself, ‘I want to be involved in this, I want to help people feel this way’ and within the year I was training as a youth worker and working on the project! I haven’t looked back since!”

Why is youth work in the arts important?

Emma Chapman: “Not only is the Arts a great tool for engagement, it’s a great way of building up soft skills such as confidence, motivation, team work and communication. I have worked in lots of different settings such as YOI’s ,Prisons, PRUS and Ex-offender organisations with both adults and young people, using the arts as a tool for change.

“With Young People, the arts are integral to personal development, allowing you to see different perspectives, meet new people and think differently – the arts support brain development, personal development and social skills; much like Youth Work. Paired together Youth Work and the arts are a perfect tool to support and develop young people in both an individual and group settings.”

“Through creativity, people can critically reflect on choices they have made, or situations they have been in and I believe this kind of reflection to be truly transformational.” 

Naz Hoque: “Youth work in the arts helps young people express themselves, build confidence, and feel part of a community. By getting involved in creative projects, they pick up important life skills, resilience, and teamwork that can help open up career opportunities.”

Emma Chapman: “In the current climate access to the arts is a social justice issue, many schools are cutting creative subjects, many arts venues / organisations are losing funding and often young people and families are priced out of accessing culture. We know from working in London, one of the most culturally creative cities in the world, Young people are not supported to access the amazing culture on their doorstep, whether that be down to cost / affordability, lack of support or knowledge or simply feeling that these spaces are ‘not for them’.

As Youth Workers it is our responsibility to open up new pathways for young people, support them to access areas they couldn’t before and spark an interest, passion or possible career. I feel this even more so with the arts recently -Spotlight’s Motto is ‘Open to Inspire’ and I believe it is my job to open up the arts to young people in the hope of inspiring their futures.” 

What has been your biggest achievement as a youth worker?

“One of the many inspiring stories is of a young person I mentored, who journeyed from creating music in the comfort of their home to earning a scholarship at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.” – Naz.

Emma Chapman: “There are too many to count! The best achievements for myself as a youth worker are the successes of the young people I’ve worked with. When a young person I’ve worked with completes a programme, gets a job, or finishes something they committed to it’s a huge success. Whenever a young person comes back years later after our engagement and they tell me how well they’re doing now, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and nothing tops it! Knowing you made an impact, no matter how big or small, that positively changed a young person’s life – the best!”

What do you want to see more of in the youth sector?

Emma Chapman: “FUNDING! Investment in young people – the voices of young people being heard. And, of course, an investment in Creative Youth Work.”

“More focus on holistic support that combines creative skills with life skills. It would be great to see increased access to programmes that merge technical training in areas like media, music, and digital arts with guidance on essential skills such as financial literacy and mental health. Emphasising mentorship and hands on career exploration is also key, as these experiences connect young people with professionals who can offer both inspiration and real world insights as I once received.” – Naz

Join the conversation on LinkedIn:

Get in touch:

hello@wearespotlight.com 

Emma Chapman

Creative Programme Manager

emma@wearespotlight.com 

Emma’s career spans from The Albany to the Lyric Hammersmith. Joining Spotlight in 2016, as a Creative Arts Youth Work Coordinator, soon rose to the challenge to shape our #GetCreative programme as our Creative Programme Manager. Emma has established an exceptional arts offer for young people to access, inclusive of SEND and fully funded. From music production, theatre, arts and fashion, dance and more. 

Naz Hoque

Creative Producer: Music

Nazmul@wearespotlight.com 

Naz joined Spotlight in 2024 as our new Creative Producer for our programmes in the music studio. Prior to Spotlight, Naz worked for Raw Material a creative youth space in Brixton, and in 2021 was nominated for the Young Leader award by Youth Music.